Problems with the AC
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Aviano
Problems with the AC
I have a 1996 Corvette. Everytime I turn the AC on, the air only comes out the vents by the windshield and the ones by the legs. It doesn't matter wich bottom I press the air always comes out the same vents. Does anyone knows what I can do to fix the problem so I can get the air to come out the front vents?
Any help will be appreciate. I'm in the Air Force and I'm station in Italy so I don't have to many places I can take the car to get fix.
Thanks
Any help will be appreciate. I'm in the Air Force and I'm station in Italy so I don't have to many places I can take the car to get fix.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 9
From: sonoma ca
You can make one quick check by removing the pass/side fuel rail cover & checking the vacuum fitting. I believe the vents go to a default position, as a safety feature, when vacuum problems occur.
Check the search portion. There are pictures of the valve there.
Ciao,
Keep em flying.......
You can check for codes at this site...
http://www.idavette.net/tech/c4diag.htm
Check the search portion. There are pictures of the valve there.
Ciao,
Keep em flying.......
You can check for codes at this site...
http://www.idavette.net/tech/c4diag.htm
Last edited by Red Dwarf; Jul 25, 2006 at 04:53 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by caguas85
I have a 1996 Corvette. Everytime I turn the AC on, the air only comes out the vents by the windshield and the ones by the legs. It doesn't matter wich bottom I press the air always comes out the same vents. Does anyone knows what I can do to fix the problem so I can get the air to come out the front vents?
Any help will be appreciate. I'm in the Air Force and I'm station in Italy so I don't have to many places I can take the car to get fix.
Thanks
Any help will be appreciate. I'm in the Air Force and I'm station in Italy so I don't have to many places I can take the car to get fix.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 11
From: Savannah Ga.
[QUOTE=Red Dwarf]You can make one quick check by removing the pass/side fuel rail cover & checking the vacuum fitting. I believe the vents go to a default position, as a safety feature, when vacuum problems occur.
Check the search portion. There are pictures of the valve there.
Cia
quick fix if you have GM parts dealer overseas?
This is just a $5.00 fix!
Check the search portion. There are pictures of the valve there.
Cia
quick fix if you have GM parts dealer overseas? This is just a $5.00 fix!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: SLC Utah
caguas85,
I have the same problem on my 96. If you fix yours, tell me how you did it.
I just went out and checked the lines under the fuel rail cover and both lines are getting vacuum so I don't think that's my problem (of course, because that would be really easy to fix).
Let me know how this turns out.
I have the same problem on my 96. If you fix yours, tell me how you did it.
I just went out and checked the lines under the fuel rail cover and both lines are getting vacuum so I don't think that's my problem (of course, because that would be really easy to fix).
Let me know how this turns out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Vacuum runs through the firewall to the Programmer (assuming it's electronic air; if it's manual it runs to the dash controls) - a processor that directs vacuum to the HVAC door solenoids. If it's good in the engine compartment, you need to check what it's doing once it gets to the Programmer. Some have found that the harness has pulled away. The Programmer is usually above and to the right of the accelerator, about the size of a postcard.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Originally Posted by SunCr
Vacuum runs through the firewall to the Programmer (assuming it's electronic air; if it's manual it runs to the dash controls) - a processor that directs vacuum to the HVAC door solenoids. If it's good in the engine compartment, you need to check what it's doing once it gets to the Programmer. Some have found that the harness has pulled away. The Programmer is usually above and to the right of the accelerator, about the size of a postcard.
In my 95, the programmer is to the left of and above the brake pedal (looking from inside the car). You need to remove a plastic kick/trim panel to get to it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
If it is the programmer then you can get a replacement from gmpartsdirect.com or acdelco.com. The important thing is whether or not you have the "deluxe" electronically controlled climate system or the manual (if it is a 96 I would guess the full electronic model). For my 95 with full electronically controlled, the only replacement programmers I have found are reman. Any dealer should be able to replace this or if you are limber enough you probably can as well. The part is very difficult to access (at least for my bones and muscles) but I have heard it helps if you remove the seat bottom.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
I had the exact same problem that I just fixed recently by replacing the two prong vacuum line attachment that goes up top to the head. I had read about the fix, but had no idea this was the device everyone was describing. I touched it and it was so brittle that it broken. While at the dealership I pulled it off, because the parts person had no clue of what I was trying to explain. When I pulled it off, I noticed that the bottom side had been melted out be the heat. Looking from the top it looked ok, but once I removed it, it was obvious. As soon as I replaced it, air flowed. So, look at the plastic prong thingy good.
zzzasy
'96 LT4
zzzasy
'96 LT4
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
From: Cypress Texas
There are many vacuum lines to check. My '94 had a plastic line that ran near that battery and had rubbed on the terminal and cracked. If you look in the service manual, the first question it asks to trouble shoot the AC doing this is: Does the cruise control work ? If yours doesn't check the lines going to and around the cruise control.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
This might sound strange but does your cruise control work??
I saved a few hundred bucks when I bought my 94 because the AC did this and the cruise didn't work. Turned out to be a $6 check valve that crumbled from the heat of the engine.
As a couple others have said it is under the passenger side fuel rail cover. It is a check valve and "T" fitting that splits the vacuum between the AC & cruise.
Here is a picture I took of mine
I saved a few hundred bucks when I bought my 94 because the AC did this and the cruise didn't work. Turned out to be a $6 check valve that crumbled from the heat of the engine.
As a couple others have said it is under the passenger side fuel rail cover. It is a check valve and "T" fitting that splits the vacuum between the AC & cruise.
Here is a picture I took of mine
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
There are 2 at the ac/delco site - www.acdelco.com - #15-5421 exclusive to the Vette and 14056648 used in a gazillion cars through
2006. Go to the site see which one matches up with what you got.
2006. Go to the site see which one matches up with what you got.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 1
From: Centennial Colorado
Originally Posted by SunCr
There are 2 at the ac/delco site - www.acdelco.com - #15-5421 exclusive to the Vette and 14056648 used in a gazillion cars through
2006. Go to the site see which one matches up with what you got.
2006. Go to the site see which one matches up with what you got.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
When I replaced mine I took (what was left) the part to the dealer and just plopped it on the counter. The guy didn't say a word, walked away and came back with the replacement. He didn't even ask what it was out of. He told me that every GM car/truck with ac/cruise use this thing. I forget what years were covered?? Shouldn't be an issue to get one there